Burning Questions for NBA's Top Teams

No NBA team is safe from questions. Even these teams, the top seven in the league (in terms of record), have issues that they need to work through on the hunt for a championship. 

After all, perfection is impossible to come by in the NBA. Even the greatest teams of all time have struggled through difficult stretches or failed to sweep each and every one of their postseason series en route to a title. 

From coaching decisions to struggles in various aspects of the game, questions exist for everyone. 

Read on to find out what the most burning questions are for each of the NBA's top teams. 

Chicago Bulls

The Question

Can this team stay healthy enough to win it all?

The Chicago Bulls have dominated opponents to the tune of a league-best 42 wins through Sunday night. Incredibly though, they've done so without the services of key contributors much of the time. 

Derrick Rose, the team's most important and best piece, has played only 34 games and hasn't seen any action since a groin injury sidelined him on Monday, March 12th. It's unknown whether or not he'll be able to play in another regular-season game, but he will most likely be ready for the playoffs. 

Rip Hamilton, the team's biggest acquisition during the offseason, has still only played 16 games this year. In fact, there are only four players on the team who have appeared in all 54 games: Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, Omer Asik and, surprisingly, Carlos Boozer. 

Does anyone still think that Boozer can make it through a full season, especially a compressed one? I know he's been healthy so far and I hope it stays that way, but there's no telling what will happen. 

Los Angeles Clippers

The Question

Will Vinny Del Negro really remain the coach?

At this point in the season, it's probably too late to fire Vinny Del Negro, seeing as the Los Angeles Clippers are technically still contenders. Even if he's not the most effective head coach, continuity is still important heading into the playoffs. 

Despite reports that Del Negro lost control of the team, Clippers owner Donald Sterling still gave him a vote of confidence. 

It's amazing how poorly the coach has utilized the talent he's been given and I feel comfortable saying that he's cost them at least a win or two despite the fact that he hasn't played a single minute for the team. 

Los Angeles Lakers

The Question

Will Good Kobe or Bad Kobe show up on any given night?

At this stage in his career, Kobe Bryant can't be good Kobe each and every night. We're bound to see bad shooting performances from him more often as the season wears on. 

Bad Kobe tends to rear his ugly head and shoot without a conscience, resulting in performances like his 3-of-21 outing against the New Orleans Hornets (even though he nailed the game-winning three). 

But then Good Kobe, aka pissed off Kobe, shows up afterwards and completely destroys his opponent, kind of like he did when he dropped 40 points against the Golden State Warriors the night after his horrific game against the Hornets. 

This season hinges on whether Good or Bad Kobe decides to show up more often. 

Miami Heat

The Question

Is this the year?

In Miami, nothing else matters. It's championship or bust during the Miami Heat's second season with the big three.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Question

Can their half-court offense get it done?

The Oklahoma City Thunder have arguably the best one-two scoring punch in the entire NBA thanks to the services of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Their offense is absolutely potent in transition thanks to the athleticism and creativity of those two players. 

But when they settle into their half-court sets, the offense stagnates at times and becomes too reliant on jump shooting. While that works in the regular season, it's hard to consistently win playoff series while shooting jump shot after jump shot. 

Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins aren't exactly offensive maestros, which makes the team depend on James Harden and the aforementioned duo for a large portion of the scoring. 

Orlando Magic

The Question

Will there ever be stability?

Throughout the entire first half of the season, we had to deal with constant rumors about Dwight Howard. He was going to go to the Los Angeles Lakers. He was going to go to the Golden State Warriors. He was going to stay with the Orlando Magic. He was going to go to the New Jersey Nets. 

Every new day brought a new rumor, or at least made an old one resurface. 

When Howard decided to stay with the Magic, we thought that everything would cool down. But now, the rumors are flying around about the potential departure of Stan Van Gundy from the Orlando Magic. 

HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy wrote the following a few days ago: 

"

The Magic might decide to part ways with Van Gundy after the season in an effort to appease Dwight Howard. However, Orlando may not have the opportunity to fire the 52-year-old head coach.

A growing number of people within the organization believe that Van Gundy will quit after the season, mainly because he doesn’t want to go through the Howard circus again next season. Sources close to the situation say that Van Gundy was ready for the organization to move Howard at the trade deadline so that the franchise could move on and once again focus on winning games. He’s not interested in going through that drama again next season.

 

"

San Antonio Spurs

The Question

Can experience overcome age?

The San Antonio Spurs have added enough youthful players to their rotation that they are no longer one of the oldest teams in the NBA. But that said, their three best players are all on or close to the wrong side of 30 and Father Time is not exactly the most forgiving of beasts. 

Tim Duncan is about to turn 36 and recently had a DNP-Old, which I didn't even know was a possible designation in a box score. I guess that's one benefit of the lockout. 

Tony Parker is enjoying a career year, but you have to wonder if he'll slow down his pace as the grueling regular season takes its tolls on his 29-year-old legs. 

Then there's Manu Ginobili, who missed a lot of time this season thanks to injury. At 34 years old, would anyone bet on the oft-injured shooting guard staying healthy? 

This is a great basketball team and it's always dangerous to pick against the Spurs, but age could be a major factor when the postseason rolls around.